My friend says I was not a good son <br />you understand <br />I say yes I understand <br /> <br />he says I did not go <br />to see my parents very often you know <br />and I say yes I know <br /> <br />even when I was living in the same city he says <br />maybe I would go there once <br />a month or maybe even less <br />I say oh yes <br /> <br />he says the last time I went to see my father <br />I say the last time I saw my father <br /> <br />he says the last time I saw my father <br />he was asking me about my life <br />how I was making out and he <br />went into the next room <br />to get something to give me <br /> <br />oh I say <br />feeling again the cold <br />of my father's hand the last time <br /> <br />he says and my father turned <br />in the doorway and saw me <br />look at my wristwatch and he <br />said you know I would like you to stay <br />and talk with me <br /> <br />oh yes I say <br /> <br />but if you are busy he said <br />I don't want you to feel that you <br />have to <br />just because I'm here <br /> <br />I say nothing <br /> <br />he says my father <br />said maybe <br />you have important work you are doing <br />or maybe you should be seeing <br />somebody I don't want to keep you <br /> <br />I look out the window <br />my friend is older than I am <br />he says and I told my father it was so <br />and I got up and left him then <br />you know <br /> <br />though there was nowhere I had to go <br />and nothing I had to do<br /><br />William Stanley Merwin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/yesterday/
